Scaffold construction



April 27 1926.

I M. F. HONAN SCAFFOLD CONSTRUCTION Filed April 29. 1924 Patented Apr. 27, 1926.

MARTIN F. HONAN, 0F BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY.

SGAFFOLD CON STRUCTION Application filed April 29, 1924. Serial 'No. 709,834.

To (Ill 1071 out it may concern:

lie it. known that I, MARTIN F. HoNAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bayonne, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Scaffold Constructions, of which the following is a specification.

The invention has for an object to effect improvement in portable sectional scaffolds, and seeks to provide novel structure of value in facilitating the erection, removal and transportation of such structures while at the same time embodying advantages in reinforcement having the effect of enabling rapid adjustment of the parts while yet making the bracing effective and providing a dependable framing for the uses to be expected, even though considerable weight and other exceptional stresses may be involved. It is an important purpose to present a construction in which sleeve joints are embodied and coordinated in a novel way with the bracing means. It is also sought to enable the manufacture of the various elements in an economical manner and in a form to involve a minimum of weight in proportion to the stresses to be sustained. It is a further aim to offer novel fastenings for truss and brace structure, affording rests and securement for horizontal and other load carrying elements.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention may be found in the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts as hereinafter described and shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is an elevational view of part of a scaffold embodying my invention, in erected position.

Figure 2 is a detail the joint sleeves.

Figure 3 is a joint sleeve. I

Figure 4 is a side view partly in section of a sleeve of a still further form showing the manner of eoengagement of any of the sleeves with a cross beam.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective of the end of a cross member.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the joint sleeve showing the lip 30.

There is illustrated a scaffold structure including uprights or standards 10, made in sections which by means of my joint sleeves and other elements may be built up perspective of one of plan of the blank for the shaped as required, and are formed near the ends with suitable openings therethrough to receive bolts 11 by which clamping joint sleeves 12 are secured removably thereon.

The ends of the standard sections are also cut off square that is, at right angles to the axes of the pieces, so that one may set snugly upon another for sustaining a considerable load efficiently. At each junction of superposed sections a joint sleeve 12 is provided which may be formed as in Fig ures 1 and 2.

This.joint sleeve comprises a blank of sheet metal substantially in the shape of a maltese cross, the lateral parts of which are bent into parallel relation on respective lines a a distance within and parallel to the vertical edges of the upper and lower arms 13 of the blank. Between the lines of bend a back plate 14 is thus formed. This plate 14: is provided with a number of transverse longitudinally spaced slots 15 for uses to be described. The lateral arms 16 of the blank are then bent inward toward each other and parallel to the back plate 14 on lines, 6 a distance from their bases, thus leaving side plates 17 on the sleeve, which extend only part way across the sides of the standards, while the arms 16 extend the full width of the sides of the standards and are turned inwardly opposite the plate.

14. A bolt 11 is engaged through each upper and lower part of the side plates 17. The arms 16 of the sleeve stop short of each other, and their extren'iities are bent to form cars 18 spaced sufiiciently to permit secure clamping compression of the sides of the sleeve upon the standard by means of bolts 19.

The cars 18 extend longitudinally a sufiieient distance to receive several bolts 19, and the latter include a middle one spaced suflieiently from the standard and from the other bolts to permit pivoting of a diagonal truss or brace 20 thereon. The brace 20 ordinarily comprises a. plain wooden bar having a transverse opening through itsend to receive readily the bolt 19. Sleeves 21 are adjustable on intermediate portions of the standards, these being similar to the sleeves 12 omitting the parts above and below the arms 16, but ear extensions 22 are formed on each side thereof at the end through at the points of attachment, and this is especially desirable at the junctions of the braces with the standards.

Horizontal elements 25 are shown which may be of any proper length and these are provided with end fittings 26 in the form.

of a U-shaped channel piece receiving the end of the piece 25 therein and bolted thereto, a tongue 27 being formed at the outer end of the channel piece, projecting longitudinally a short distance and being then bent downwardly at right angles.

The slots 15 have a vertical dimension somewhat greater than the thickness of the tongues 27 and the downturned ends of the tongues 27 are adapted to be inserted through the slots 15 and dropped downward to project within the sleeve immediately below the slot (see Figures 4 and 6). Set screws 28 are engaged through the sleeves immediately below the slots to impinge upon the tongues 27 and hold them against casual disengagement. These also serve additionally in securing the sleeve on the standard. The slots 15'may be variously formed to facilitate the reception of the tongues 27, as will be understood.

The form of the sleeve devices and boxings in cross section is such that a certain amount of space may be afforded between the standard and back plate to accommodate the tongues 27 readily, and this may be effected by enlargement of the sleeve or by offsetting a portion thereof to form a lip 30, as shown in Figure 6, if desired at discretion.

he sleeve 16 shown in Fi ure 4 corresponds to the middle portion of the sleeve 12, first described, with the upper and lower parts 13 omitted.

In use of the invention, asuitable quantity of stock materials being at hand, not necessarily of uniform length (although for a scaffold of symmetrical appearance this may be prescribed) two standard elements are connected by engaging sleeves 21 intermediately on two sections. and sleeves 12 on one extremity of each. The sleeves 12 are then secured upon the section and braces 20 engaged therewith, after which the sleeves 21 are brought into position to engage with one of the first in a similar manner by means members having tongues insertable alterthe braces at the desired spacing of the standards. This may be done with the standards prostrate and they may be raised afterthe parts are secured in place, or the attachment may be made while the parts are held erect. The braces 20 will hold the 7 parts against toppling in two directions, and the parts may be either secured to the building to prevent falling in the other two directions, or a third standard connected to of braces and sleeves 21 out of the plane of the parts first set up. Additional standard sections may now be inserted from above the sleeves 12, and also additional standards built up adjacentthe first ones and connected thereto either by braces 20 or by horizontal members 25. The braces may be extended between members 25, which may have their tongues 27 inserted over bolts 19 above and below those holding the braces, although in general standards, such as, and connected as shown at the extreme right and left in Figure 1 for instance, would be disposed inwardly or outwardly of the plane of the two connected by the braces, and any horizontal members required parallel to the braced members then laid upon the members 25 connected to the slotted plates 14.

In taking down a scaffold the sleeve 12 may be left connected to one standard section and the sleeves 21 left upon the medial parts where used, thus enabling the movement of these elements incident to the loading of the timbers, without liability of loss.

It will be seen that a scaffold of simple design may be erected with my invention, in a manner readily understandable for the class of workmen ordinarily engaged in such work; and that -while it is of a durable character, it may yet be produced at low cost without special complications in manufacture. The parts are liablein a minimum degree to breakage, and the set screws and bolts are of a character that may be readily replaced if lost, these being practically the only liabilities of this character in the apparatus.

I claim:

A sheet metal joint and cross connection anchorage comprising a back plate-having a multiplicity of transverse slots therein spaced longitudinally of the anchorage, integral sides at right angles to the back, medial extensions integral with said sides having their outer parts bent inward before the. back plate to form therewith a sleeve, the extremities of said extensions stopping short of each other, clamping means coengaged between said extremities, and cross natively in said slots.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MARTIN F. HONAN. 

